Improvement in base-ball bases



J. cHo'NEILLP BASE-BALL BASE.

No.171,038, V Patented IJ-c.14,1875.

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N-FETERS. FNOTOJJTNOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON. f: C-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOHN C. ONEILL, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN BASE-BALL BASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 171,038, dated December 14, 1875; application filed June 19, 1875.

, To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JOHN G. ONEILL, of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and Improved Enunciating-Base for Base-Balls, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a vertical central section of my improved enunciating-base forthe game of baseball, taken on the line 0 c, Fig. 2; and Fig. 2 is a top view of the same with cap detached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to a base for the game of base-ball, by which the touching of the base by the runner is clearly announced to the umpire, and the same thereby enabled to render his decision in a perfectly correct and reliable manner, avoiding thereby the dissatisfaction and squabbles arising from erroneous observations and decisions.

The invention consists of a case or box, with sockets for the elastic columns that support the cap-plate, having corresponding sockets, and which announces, by contact with a bell, electrical contrivance, or other device, the exact moment in which the cap is depressed.

In the drawing, A represents the cap or platform, which is cast with sockets a at the under side, that fit on upright supporting-columns B, of rubber or other elastic material of suitable thickness but of suflicient elasticity to be depressed when the foot of the runner touches thereon. The columns B are set into similar sockets of .a base-box, G, which is set into the ground, allowing the cap to project above the same. The box is also cast of suitable metal, and arranged, further, with a bell mechanism, D, that is mounted on a post, F, and actuated by the contact of the cap with the sliding top button, operating clapper E.

In place of the bell mechanism, a soundingwhistle, electrical connection, or any other suitable enunciating device may be employed, which indicates clearly and positively, without chance of error, the exact moment when the base is touched by the runner, so as to form a very useful and reliable device for base-ball players.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent An improved base for the game of baseball, constructed with a case or box, elastic supporting-columns, cap-plate, and a hell or other enunciating device, arranged to be operated substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN G. ONEILL.

Witnesses:

J. S. J ONES, G. H. TEN BROEK. 

